Policy
makers, producers and consumers of food are beginning to look more closely at
issues that impact the food we produce and eat. More and more consumers have
questions about where their food comes from and the manner in which it was
produced. Producers, especially in small or niche markets, are seeking to farm
in urban and suburban plots to be closer to their markets. Policy makers are
more frequently asked to respond to land use demands, noise and odor concerns
and increasing demand for farmers markets, mobile vendors and other
non-traditional methods of distributing locally produced food, such as food carts that
sell exclusively fresh fruits and vegetables in neighborhoods.

According
to Food First –
Institute for Food and Development Policy, “A Food Policy Council consists of a group of
representatives and stakeholders from many sectors of the food system. Ideally,
the councils include participants representing all five sectors of the food
system (production, consumption, processing, distribution and waste recycling).
They often include anti-hunger and food justice advocates, educators,
non-profit organizations, concerned citizens, government officials, farmers,
grocers, chefs, workers, food processors and food distributors. Food Policy
Councils create an opportunity for discussion and strategy development among
these various interests, and create an arena for studying the food system as a
whole.”

Food First found
four basic functions of food policy councils. They serve as forums for
discussing food issues; they attempt to foster coordination between sectors of
the food system, they evaluate and influence policy; and they launch or support
programs and services that address local needs. Not all councils were formed
with the goal of influencing policy and may have a programming orientation. For
distinction, they may refer to themselves as a food council.

Food
policy councils have developed in communities where the demand for policy and
issue guidance is growing. The first council was formed in 1982 in Knoxville,
Tenn. Since that time, local, regional and state food councils have been
established across the country. The Michigan Food
Policy Council
was formed in 2005 with the purpose of bringing together a broad spectrum of
governmental agencies to work in partnership to address a range of food policy
issues affecting state governmental departments and the citizens of Michigan.
The Council’s quarterly meetings are open to the public.

From
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to the metropolitan Detroit region and in many
communities in between, citizens are represented by food policy councils. Most
are grassroots organizations covering regional, multi-county or individual
counties. It is a goal of Michigan State
University Extension’s Community Food Systems team to support the development
and sustainability of local food councils.

Many
communities are beginning to realize the need for food councils and responding
accordingly. Jane Whitacre, director of the Michigan Food Policy Council said, “Our
survey of the state identified 22 local food councils representing about 40 of
Michigan's 83 counties. It is clear that good food is valued as a pathway to
better health and a better economy all across our state. These councils formed
on their own because food is an issue that is central to so many aspects of our
community; health, children, obesity, jobs and family to name a few."

The Fair Food executive
summary
of a review of food policy councils across the country can be accessed online. For
more information about food councils in your area or to contact an Extension
educator, visit MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” website and search
using the keywords, “community food."